There’s little left of the Tropicana. The two hotel towers have been gutted and anything on the ground level — from the casino and swimming pool to the valet and parking lot — has already been cleared out, but what’s left of the resort will come toppling down in a spectacular, old-school, Vegas-style implosion. All you need to do is stay awake for it 🥱
🧐 Get the Date Right
The implosion takes place at 2:30 a.m., early in the morning on Wednesday, October 9.
🚀 A Spectacular Show
The implosion will be preceded by a seven-minute, sky-high show of fireworks and 700 drones, including 150 pyrodrones to produce pyrotechnic effects 400 feet above the Strip. Details are a closely guarded secret, but expect to see the drones form images that reflect the history of the Tropicana and the future of the A’s, who plan to build a baseball stadium on the site.
💥 Big, Bam, Boom!
Once the implosion begins, it will take approximately 22 seconds to bring down the two Tropicana hotel structures. The Paradise Tower will crumble first, followed by the Club Tower. Both are 23 stories. Nearly 2,200 pounds of explosives will be used.
👀 Can I Watch in Person?
This gets tricky. There is no designated public viewing area and sightlines will be limited. Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue will begin to close at midnight and will be completely shut down in the area surrounding the Tropicana from 1:30 a.m. to anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours following the implosion. You may catch a glimpse from certain angles at a distance or rooftop parking garages, but nothing is guaranteed.
🛎️ A Room with a View?
Any rooms or suites facing the Tropicana at hotels like the MGM Grand, New York-New York, Excalibur, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, and OYO will have a perfect vantage point for watching the implosion. But here’s the deal — those rooms are either already booked, are super expensive, or require a multi-night stay to reserve.
📺 On-Screen Entertainment
At least three television stations (KSNV 3, KLAS 8, and KTNV 13) will broadcast the implosion live on television. KVVU FOX 5 will have a livestream. You can also watch the implosion online on the LVCVA X (Twitter) account and Bally Live or the Bally Live app (for Android or iPhone).
🥳 Parties?
The Foundation Room at the top of Mandalay Bay is hosting a viewing party with the Tropicana site in full view of the lounge’s outdoor terrace. $50 tickets appear sold out, but you may still be able to request a VIP table. Ellis Island has a farewell party, featuring Vintage Vegas Trivia in The Front Yard at 7 p.m., Classic Vegas Karaoke in the Karaoke Lounge at 9 p.m., and the implosion live on screen in the Front Yard. If you step outside, you may catch a glimpse of the drones, fireworks, and a cloud from when the dust settles.
- Learn more about the history of the Tropicana and the 60-year legacy of a resort that helped shape modern Las Vegas. [Hey Las Vegas ✍️]
